Terrible upper central abdominal pain

My father had these symptoms when he went to the bathroom and started to have abdominal pain:
     hands stiffening and his thumb bending (kinda looked like arthritis in the hand & arm)
     horrible pain in the upper central part of the abdomen
     was sweating around his face and neck
     felt that somebody punched his belly and his abdomen looked bloated
     had nausea, he keeps feeling that wants to vomit
     he felt he couldn't breather, "shortness of breath"
     after his pain was calming down, his abdomen felt very cold
     He was felt fatigued, & a little light headed
This all took about 10-15 mins, but the pain was still there. He is a bit better now, but this is his 4th time with this reaction. Any suggestions what he might have??